Capital Region fallen heroes honored with procession, flag hanging

COLONIE -- About 50 motorcycles led a procession up Route 9 in Colonie Saturday, handing out small American flags to onlookers as part of an effort to remember area veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In an act of inspiration that occurred to him on 9/11 this year, American Legion member and veteran Tom Regan got the idea to hang flags along a section of route 9 in honor of area veterans.

The project gained traction among other legion members, as Regan contacted National Grid, Colonie Police, and local politicians, in an effort to get the clearance needed for the project.

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Eventually Regan and other volunteers rasied enough money to buy flags they planned to hang along the route.

"There are 126 flags in total, with about ten or twelve guys represented by each flag," said Bob Robertson, a member of the American Legion Riders motorcycle club, a group that took part in the procession down Route 9.

"They're up on Route 9 from Memorial Hospital up to Route 155 on the poles alongside the road."

The flags were first blessed at a ceremony at the Joseph E. Zaloga American legion Post on Everett Road in Colonie, an event attended by many of what are known as 'Gold Star Mothers and Fathers,' those who've lost a serviceman or woman.

The Gold Star groups led the procession, which was followed up by dozens of motorcycles in a procession that brought out curious onlookers and local residents.

Michael Guenette said he was at the event to honor his brother, Peter, who died a hero in Vietnam, exactly 45 years before Saturday's event.